Method and means for sensitizing print papers



April 19, 1927.

J. L. CAZARES METHOD AND MEANS FOR SENSITIZING PRINT PAPERS Filed June 3, 1924 2 She'ets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Jose L. [mm/"es April 19, 1927. J. cAzAREs METHOD AND MEANS FOR SENSITIZING PRINIPAPERS Filed June 5, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Jose A. G'azarm,

ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

urrn \SATES I JOSE L. CAZARES, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

METHOD AND -MEANS FOR SENSITIZING PRINT PAPERS.

Application filed June 3', 1924. Serial No. 717,577.

This invention relates to and has for its main object the provision of an improved method and mechanism for sensitizing blue print or photo-print papers, whereby a regular and uniform coatin of thesensitizing solution may be applled to one side ofa strip of paper formed into a roll and so supported that the paper may be continuously fed by the sensitizing apparatus and into contact with the sensitizing solution at one. or more points, and thereafter scraped and freed from all surplus solution, dried and again rolled preparatory to use, all in a continuous operation.

In machines of this character a sensitizing solution has been applied to the paper by running the paper over and between a series of rollers, the periphery of which are partially submerged in a tray of the sensitizing solution. It has been found, however, .in practice that in this form of device the rollers tend to remove certain portions of the film of sensitizing material from the surface, and this causes anirregular coating of the sensitizing solution, which has a correspondingly bad effect on the result obtained in the printing operation from the use of the paper when thus coated.

It is an object therefore of my invention to combine with the aforesaid and ordinarily used means of applying sensitizing solution to the paper, a supplementary apparatus whereby all of the disadvantages and ill effects of the former may be eliminated and a final application of the sensitizing solution may be made which will leave the film on thepaper of regular and uniform thickness and which will perfectly distribute the same over the surface of the paper.

It is a further objectto provide means whereby the paper may be run through a heated zone for the purpose of drying the same before it is again and finally rolled onto a spindle preparatory to use.

Still other details of my invention and minor objects will appear in the annexed drawings, which I will now describe.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section of my improved machine. showing the operation and arrangement thereof for carrying out my improved method.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sect1on on line 33 of Fig. 1.

F g. 4 is an enlarged end view, partly in section, of one of the bearings which supports the main feed roller by means of WlllCh the paper is fed to the sensitizing apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan on line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. (i is an enlarged end view of a portion of the mechanism showing an auto; metro and electrically operated signal device for use in connection with the machine.

F1g. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevatron of the right hand end of the machine, as seen in Fig. 1. h

8 is an enlarged elevation of the same at rtght angles to the showing of Fig. 7.

F151;. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of the left hand end of the machine as seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged section of the primary sensitizing apparatus located at the right hand end of the machine, as seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a section showing the arrangement of the rewinding rollers.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary transverse view showing a pressure device for engagement w1th the strip of paper subsequent to the final sensitizing operation, and for preventing the warping or curling of the paper in the subsequent rewinding operation.

Similar characters of reference are used throughout the specification and in the several views of the drawing for indicating the same parts.

As shown in its prefered form in said drawings and inits simplest arrangement for carrying out the objects of my invention, the mechanism embodies a suitable frame F, made of wood or metal as may be found most convenient and desirable, and arranged to receive and hold in operative relation all of the operating parts and the paper to be treated, both prior to and after the application of the sensitizing solution.

On one end of the machine I mount a motor M on a suitable bracket 1 adapted to be attached to and supported on one of the standards 2 of frame F. Said motor is connected by means of a suitable coupling 3 with a worm 4 and a cooperating worm gear 5 which are encased in a housing 6 either integrally formed on the bracket 1 or at-- tached thereto., The driving mechanism for operating the various elements of the machine are operably supportedon a pa1r of brackets B, B, one of WhlCh is mounted on and attached to each of the opposite standards 2, 2, by means of bolt 7, 7, etc.

The worm gear 5 within the casing 6 has an extended shaft 8 which 1s ournaled 1n bearings 9 and 10 formed on the 05.15111 {3, and said shaft is vertically disposed and 1s connected by means of a coupling 10 and carries on its upper end a bevel pm 11, the portion on said shaft below-sa1d p1n10n being journaled in a suitable bearing 12 either formed on or attached to one of the brackets B.

The pinion 11 meshes with and drlves a relatively larger bevel gear 13 whlch s fixed to one of the ends of a horizontally dlsposed shaft 14, Which is journaled in a bearing 15 on each of the brackets B. Shaft 14 also carries a spur gear 15 adjacent the bevel gear 13, which meshes with and drives a gear 16 carried on a transverse shaft 17, which is journaled in a member 18 formed on or attached to each of the brackets B, as shown in Fig. 1.

Motion is communicated from shaft 17 to aparallel shaft 19 thereabove by means of a gear 20 on said shaft 19, which meshes w1th the gear 16, and the shaft 19 1s ournaled on each of the brackets B. On each of the standards 2 at the driving end of the machine and below the plane of the motor bracket 1, I provide a bracket B attached to the standards and adapted to rotatably support a roll o-r'rolls of paper P, preparatory to the sensitizing operatlon. For the sake of convenience I prefer to provide means for supporting the last two rolls of paper as at R and R so that while the mnermost roll of paper R is being run through the machine in a sensitizing operation, the

outermost roll R will be supported in readiness so that the rolls may be quickly moved into the position on roll R when the latter is exhausted without but momentarily stopping themechanism. The rolls R and R are suitably held in open bearings 21, 21 so that the same may be lifted out of the bearings and moved or removed.

I have shown in the drawings and prefer to provide a novel form of paper roll supporting means as shown in Fig. 3. This includes a spindle 22 which is adapted to seat at its ends in the bearings 22 of bracket B'.

and inwardly of said bearings I provide a combined gripping and centering device for the roll, which is adjustable in character and 1s adapted to be inserted in the hollow cores 23 on which rolled in the manufacturing operation.

The said gripping and centering device embodies a sleeve 24 which is adjustable on the spmdle 22 and may be fixed thereto by paper for this purpose is usually f means of a set screw 25 through the hexagonal head portion 26 thereof. Said sleeve is enlargements 32 which are adapted toengage the beveled outer surface of a collar 33 which is fixed to the inner end of sleeve 24 so that when the sleeve 24 is adjusted inwardly or outwardly of the collar 28, the segmental members 30 will expand or contract corresponding to the extent of the longitudinal movement of collar 24. Thus. the outer surfaces of members 30 will be made to conform to the internal diameter of the core 23 of the roll R, as shown in Fig. 3 and will serve to frictionally grip and hold the same centrally with respect to the axis of spindie 22.

Now, the paper is fed forwardlyfrom the innermost roll R to a sensitizing S, slightly forward of the rear standards 2. 2 of the frame, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10. The said sensitizing apparatus includes a shallow tray 34 which is suitably supported on the frame F, andbetween the side mem bers thereof, and a preliminary sensitizing apparatus roller 1' is rotatably mounted, on a spindle 35 also over a driving sprocket 39 fixed to shaft' 17, which is supported on bracket B.

It will be by the arrow in Fig. 10, that the direction of rotation of roller r is clockwise and reverse with respect to the movement on paper P over the upper portion thereof. It will also be noted that theroller r-which is partially submerged in the solution S will serve to moisten the lower side of paper P as I the paper is moved thereover, and a film or coating of the sensitizing solution will be thus applied to the paper. The reverse operation of the roller r serves to prevent an undue, unnecessary and-irregular amount of the solution S adhering to the paper after the paper leaves the roll.

Forwardly of the roller r, I provide a riction element or scraper as at f, which noted in this respect, .as shown may be either rotatively or stationarily held in a bearing 40 attached to each of the members 36 of frame F, and said member 7 underlies the strip of paper P, as shown clearly 1, as the paper is fed into the preliminary sensitizing bath, a transverse bar I), is provided between said rollers for engagement with the upper side of the paper P, and said bar isadjustably mounted on each of the solution.

standards 2 by means of a bolt or screw 43 which slidably engages a slot 44 in a rectangularly bent end 45 of said bar. This bar 6 serves to additionally hold the paper in firm contact with the sensitizing rol er 1' and at the same time to keep the st-ri of paper P; which is, usually of substantial width; perfectly flat prior to its engagement withvthe roller 4".

After the paper P has been preliminarily sensitized by means of the apparatus. S, it is moved forwardly beneath and in frictional engagement with a pair or more of the members b, so as to hold the paper flatwise, and said additional members I), b are substantially similar. to the one employed by the roller R and the roller r, and areadjustably mounted on the horizontal member 36 of the frame.

At the front end of the machine I provide the final sensitizing apparatus S which is substantially spaced from the apparatus S hereinbefore described, and is of a substan-' tially different character. This apparatus is shown clearly in Fig. 9, to which reference is now had.

()n the outer side of the front'end standards 2 I provide a receptacle or tank T adapted to hold a quantity 'of the sensitizing Said tank is supported on a suitable bracket T attached to the frame members 2 and the bottom of the tank has a rearwardly projecting flat extension 46 with Lil narrow side portions 47 so that the solution held within the interior 48 of the tank may, be discharged through an'opening 49 in the wall 50 of the tank onto and over the bottom extension 46 into contact with the outer and previously coated surface of the strip of slightly greater than that-of the paper P.

The strip of paper is held in frictional contact with the portion 51 of the tank by means of a pair of rollers 54 and 55 which are mounted on spindles 56- and 57 respec tively, said spindles being suitably ou'rnaled on the frame members 2. The lowermost roller 54 is partially within the receptacle '53, and the bottom of said receptacle is inclined slightly and provided with a rib 58 near the rear side thereof, and with a transverse channel 59 rearwardly of said rib. 7 Now, the paper is so held by means of the friction members I), I) and the roller 54 that I the lower and previously coated surface of the paper will frictionally engage the upper curved surface of the rib 58, and after the operation of the machine is begun the solution S will accumulate in the bottom of the receptacle 53. The level of this solution in the receptacle 53, however, will always be in the plane of the upper surface of rib 58 over which the paper is moved, so that as the paper is moved through the receptacle 53 the lower surface thereof comes in 0on tact with the surface of the body of the solution S within the receptacle, and the advance portion of the paper is additionally being provided with a coating of the solution at the end 51 of tank extension 46. This mechanism serves to provide an ample and uniform second coatlng of the paper w th t the sensitizing solution and any portions of thepaper to which the sensitizing solution did not adhere in the first bath will be amply coated in the second bath.

As the paper is advanced from the end 51 of tank T and moves over the pressure roller 55, it is engaged by a scraper or friction element 6 which is substantially of the form and characteristics of the member f in the apparatus S. The member 1) however, is adjustable relative to the strip'of paper P, and to this end is carried in a bearing 60 which is attached to a screw 61 .threaded through the boss 62 in a bracket 63, which is adjustably mounted on each of the members 2 of the frame. 61 maybe adjusted on the bracket 63 by means of a handle 64 on the outer end of said screw for moving the member I) inwardly or outwardly for suitable frictional contact with the finally coated surface of the paper P.

Additional rollers 65, 66, 67, 68 and 69 are provided on the upper portion of the frame for engagement with the uncoated side of the paper, and over which the paper is adapted to be moved to the rear end of the machine for rewinding subsequent'to the drying operation.

Intermediate the two sides of the frame I provide a heet metal housing It forming an enclosed heating zone through which the paper is adapted to be moved for a substantial distance to effect the complete drying of the same previous to the rewinding opera- The screw tion. This receptacle is 0 en at the bottom but closed at the sides, en s and top, and in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 a suitable form of eater H is shown for accomplishing this result.

Said heater includes. a plurality of vertically disposed tubes t, t, etc., arranged at each end of the enclosure h and terminating at their lower ends in and connected to a transversely disposed combustion chamber 70. The upper ends of the tubes't are connected at each end of the enclosure h with a hollow transverse member 71, and said members 71 are in turn connected with a plurality of substantially horizontal or slightly inclined tubes 25, 25', etc., the inner ends of the tubes 25'. from each of the members 71 being connected with a centrally disposed and transversely extended tube 72 of rectangular cross section, which at one end is formed into a return bend, as at 73 and has an upper extension 74 overlying the lower portion -72 from the outer end of which the heat may be vented to the atmosphere. The heat is supplied to the chambers 70, 70 by means of a gas pipe 74 with burners 75, 75 in the ends thereof and extended upwardly into the chambers 70, 70. The gas supply may be regulated bymeansof the usual cocks 76, 76.

It will be noted particularly by reference to Figs. 1 and 2 that the portion 72 of the heater is disposed below the strip of paper P, while the portion 74 is disposed thereabove, and also that the enclosure 72. has a top 77 overlying the paper P- and which is provided with a vent V closed by a door d and adapted to be opened and closed by means of a cord, wire or chain 78 attached at 79 to the free end of the door and operating overa plurality of pulleys 80, 80, etc,

and also that the rear end of member 78 is extended through a guide 81 in the rear end of the machine and has a ring or other suitable device on the end thereof as at 82 foroperating the door d.

The arrangement of the heater H, as shown and described, is such that a maximum amount of radiation is provided whereby the interior of the enclosure 72. will be heated to a suitable temperature for completely drying the coated surface of the paper prior to the'rewinding operation, which I will now describe.

The paper P after leaving the roll 69 is moved over the inner portion of the roll 83 carried on a spindle 84 suitably journaled on the standards 2 of the frame, and thereafter the paper moves over a roll 85 carried on a spindle 86 which is journaled in a bearing 87 on each of the brackets B, thence over a roll 88 which is provided with a frictional periphery 89 ofrubber or the like fixed to the shaft 19 between the brackets B. Thereafter the paper is advanced to and rewound on a spindle 90 ,which is carried in an open bearing 91 on each of the frame members B.

-dle 92 and serve to pull the paper from the original roll R and cause the same to be rewound onto the spindle 90 in a continuous operation.

The spindle 90 is rotated by means of a belt 93 which operates over a pulley 94 on the driving shaft 14 and over the periphery of the shaft 90, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the arrangement being such that the speed of shaft 90 will at all times be in excess of the maximum requirements for taking up all slack in the strip P of the paper, and in order that the rewound roll It 'of the paper will be tight and firm.

I have also provided an additional rewinding spindle 90 journaled in a bearing 91' on each of the members B, and adapted roll R during the operation of the machine,

and it is further equipped with means for replacing and connectin the sensitized strip of paper with a new spindle in the rewinding operation when one of the rewound rolls R" is completed. This serves to greatly facilitate the operation of the machine and is a very desira 1e and necessary feature.

It will be understood that I may utilize any convenient expedient for attaching the end of the paper to the spindles 22 and 90 or 90 Reverting to the arrangement of the apparatus S for applying the initial coat of sensitizing solution to the paper, I vhave shown in Fig. 4 a'preferred means of mounting the preliminary sensitizing roll 1' for quick adjustment, replacement and displacement, and this includes a halved bearing 95 at each end of the spindle .35, which supports the roller r, and an upper member 96 which is pivoted at 97 to the member 95 and is removably connected to said member at its opposite extreme 98 by means of a bolt 99 in each of said bearings. I preferably .employ a frictional roller or ball bearing sary.

As shown in Fig. 6 I have provided a suitable form of signal device adapted to be connected with the rewinding mechanism for the purpose of indicating to an operator audibly when a given amount of yardage or .worm gear 102 also carries a pinion 104 which meshes with and drives a relatively larger spur gear 105 also mounted on. the sup ort 103.

e shaft 107 ofgear 105 is substantially extended and carries a disc 108 on its outer end thereof which is held outwardly from the member 103 by means of a s1: ring 109, and the face of said disc carries a contact member llO which is adapted to engage a stationary contact member 111 at each revolution of the disc 108. Said disc is grounded at 112 by means of a wire 113 through its shaft 107 and the stationary contact member 111 is connected by means of a wire 114 with one terminal 115 of a hell or buzzer 116.

The other terminal'117 of said bell is connected with one or more cells of a battery 118, and the battery by means of a wire 119 is connected with ground at 120. Thus, when the shaft 19 of the rewinding roller 88 has made a predetermined number of revolutions, the alarm will be sounded automatically so as to provide an audible signal for the operator that it is time to renew a rewound roll and connect the end of the paper with the other of the spindles 90 or 90, as the case may be.

The speed of the disc 108 and the corresponding intervals of time between successive signals is determined by the ratio of the gear train, consisting of worm 101, gears 103, 104 and 105, this ratio being arbitrarily determined at the installation of a machine, and depending upon the size and number of turns of paper it is desired to wrap on one of the spindles 90 or 90.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 12, I have provided a friction pressure device for engagement with the paper .for preventingthe warping and curling of the paper subsequent to the final sensitizing operation, previous to the rewinding operation. This de-' vice includes a slightly curved rod 121 which may be suitably attached to the side members 122 of the frame, and is adapted to overlie the upper surface of the paper at a point between the rollers66 and 67. As

shown in Fig. 12 the curvature of the memher 121 serves to press the edges of the strip of paper downwardly so as to counteract the natural tendency of the paper to curl upwardly when moist due to the previous sensitizmg operation, and while I have shown only one of these devices, a plurality of the same may be used if necessary.

In operation the paper P is carried in one or more rolls, as at R and R on the brackets B at the rear end of the machine, and when the machine is started in operation the paper is fed over the preliminary sensitizing device S, thence over the friction elements 6, b, and then over the final sensitizing tray S, by means of which a suflicient quantity of the solution is applied to the lower side of the paper as the same is moved forwardly through the machine. The paper is then moved upwardly over the rollers 55, 65 and b, thence over' the rollers 65, 66, 67 68 and 69, rearwardly of the machine, and thence downwardly, where the paper 'is rewound on the brackets B, as hereinbefore described. Above the rollers 68, or at any suitable point on the top of the machine the heating zone is provided, through which the paper is passed in order that the solution may be dried prior to the rewinding of the same on the reels. The entire coating, drying and rewinding is aceomphshed in a continuous operation and due to the characteristics of thesensitizing device and the friction elements shown and described, a uniform coating of the sensitizing solution is applied to the paper at all times.

Now, while I have shown a preferred embodimentof myinvention, it will be understood that I may modify or alter the form and arrangement thereof within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

, What I claim is:

1. The method of sensitizing blue print paper and the like which consists in moving a strip of paper in a substantially hOIlzontal plane for a given distance, and thereafter in a substantially vertical plane for a given distance, applying a film of sensitizing solution to the paper while it is being moved in a vertical plane, so that the solution will run downwardly over the surface of the paper for a given distance, collecting the surplus solution at a point below the horizontal portion of the paper in a suitable receptacle so that the horizontal portion of the paper will move into contact with the solution thus collected, at said receptacle, and thereafter moving the coated surface of the paper into contact with a friction element whereby the surplus solution will be removed and a uniform and regular coating will remain on the surface of the paper.

2. The method of sensitizing blue print paper and the like which consists of moving tal plane for a given distance, and thereafter in a substantially vertical plane for a given distance, applying a film of sensitizing solution to the paper while -1t is being moved in a vertical plane so that the solution will run downwardly over the surface of the paper for a given distance, collecting the surplus solution at a point below the horizontal portion of the paper in a suitable receptacle so that the horizontal portion of the paper will move into contact with the solution thus collected at said receptacle, thereafter moving the coated surface of the paper into contact with a friction element whereby the surplus solution will be removed and a uniform and regular coating will remain on the surface of the paper, and collecting the surplus solution thus removed for further use in a continued operation.

3. The method of sensitizing blue print paper and the like which consists in initially moving a strip of .paper in a substantially horizontal plane, and thereafter moving the same in a substantially vertical plane for given distances, applyingra film of sensitizing solution to the surface of the paperat a point substantially above the horizontal portion of the paper, so that the solution will run downwardly over the paper, collecting a volume of said solution at av point below the horizontal portion of the paper, moving successive ortions of the paper into contact with the so. ution thus collected, moving the paper into contact with a friction element at a point substantially above the point of application of the sensitizing solution for removing the surplus solution therefrom, and advancing the coated pap-er through a heated zone for drying the solution thus applied.

4. The method of sensitizing blue print paper and the like which consists in supporting a roll of the paper in position for treatment at the beginning of an operation, continuously unwinding the paper from the roll for advancing the same in a substantially horizontal plane for a given distance, and thereafter moving the paper in a vertical plane for a given distance, applying a volume of sensitizing solution to the paper in a vertical plane of movement thereof, moving successive portions of said paper when m a horizontal plane into contact with the sensitizing solution, continuously advancing the paper after the same has been coated through a heated zone for drying the same, and finally rewinding the sensitized paper into a roll for use.

5. The method of sensitizing blue print paper and the like which consists in supporting a roll of paper in position for treatment, continuously moving the paper over the periphery of an applicator-roller partially submerged in a volume of sensitizing solution, thereafter moving the uncoated surface of the paper in contact with friction elements in a substantially horizontal plane for a given distance, moving successive ortions of the paper while in a horizontal p ane into contact with the sensitizing solution, thereafter moving the paper in a substantially ertical plane, applying a film of sensitizing solution to the previously sensitized surface thereof, and moving the paper into contact with a friction element substantially above the finalpoint of application of the sensitizing solution, for the purpose described.

(i. The method of sensitizing blue print paper and the like which consists in supporting a roll of paper in position for treatment, continuous y moving the paper over the periphery of an applicator or roller partially submerged in a volume of sensitizing solution, thereafter moving the uncoated surface of the paper in contact with friction elements in a substantially horizontal plane for a given distance, moving successive ortions of the paper while in a horizontal p ane into contact with the sensitizing solution, thereafter moving the paper in a substantially vertical plane, applying a film of sensitizing solution to the previously sensitized surface thereof, moving the paper into contact with a friction element substantially above the final point of application of the sensitizing solution, and further advancing the paper through an elongated heat zone for drying the same preparatory to use.

7. A machine for sensitizing blue print paper and the like which includes a frame, driving mechanism mounted thereon, an initial sensitizing mechanism, means for operably supporting a roll of paper on said frame whereby the paper from said roll may be moved into contact with said sensitizing mechanism, a second sensitizing mechanism substantially in advance of said'first mechanism, friction elements adjustably mounted on said frame foizcngagement with the uncoated surface of said paper and positioned intermediate the two sensitizing mechanisms, means for applying friction to the coated surface of said paper subsequent to the application of the sensitizing solution for removing the surplus solution therefrom, a heated enclosure, and means operably connected with said driving mechanism for moving the paper continuously as described and through said enclosure for rewinding the same in a roll when the operation is completed.

8. In a machine of the character described a frame, means for operably supporting a roll of paperon said frame, a shallow and slightly inclined receptacle supported on said frame and adapted to hold a volume of sensitizing solution, a receptacle mounted above said shallow receptacle and adapted to hold a volume of sensitizing solution and provided with a tray over which a film of the solution therefrom is adapted to run by gravity, means for advancing the paper from said roll continuously over the surface of the volume of solution in said shallow receptacle, and thence upwardly into frictional contact with the end of said tray, whereby a film of the solution may be applied to the surface of the paper, and means thereafter for moving the paper into contact with a friction element -for removing the surplus solution therefrom.

9. In a machine of the character described a frame, means for operably supporting a roll of paper 011 said frame, a shallow and slightly inclined receptacle supported on said frame and adapted to hold a volume of sensitizing solution, a receptacle mounted above said shallow receptacle and adapted to hold a volume of sensitizing solution and provided with a tray over which a film of the solution therefrom is adapted to run by gravity, means for advancing the paper from said roll continuously over the surface of the volume of solution in said shallow receptacle, and thence upwardly into frictional contact with the end of said tray, whereby a film of the solution may be applied to the surface of the paper, means thereafter for moving the paper into contact with a friction element for removing the surplus solution therefrom, means for subsequently advancing the paper through a heat zone for drying the same, and means for finally winding the sensitized paper into a roll for use.

JOSE L. CAZARES. 

